Operation Sindoor: Indian Armed Forces Strategically Hit Terrorism's Weak Points With Advanced Weaponry; Destroy 9 Terror Camps In Pakistan

Mumbai: In a thunderous display of precision and power, India shattered the backbone of cross-border terrorism in the early hours of Wednesday with ‘Operation Sindoor’ which was a bold and unapologetic airstrike that turned Pakistan-administered terror camps into smoldering ruins. Launched in retaliation for the brutal Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead, Indian armed forces unleashed fire and fury on key terrorist strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen through precision strikes using advanced weaponry.

In a rare and bold tri-services military collaboration, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy jointly carried out a meticulously planned airstrike, striking deep without crossing the border and yet hitting where it hurt the most. India reported the destruction of nine terrorist facilities, including key Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) installations in Bahawalpur, as well as various sites linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). India emphasized that the operations were conducted with precision to avoid civilian casualties.

The strikes were aimed at neutralising training camps, ammunition depots, and command centers. Intelligence reports indicated that these locations were central to the operations of the terrorist groups, which have been responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil over the years. Satellite and drone surveillance confirmed secondary explosions at multiple sites, indicating the destruction of stored explosives and ammunition.

The operation was spearheaded by a fleet of Rafale fighter jets, equipped with SCALP long-range cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs. The Rafales, known for their advanced avionics and deep-strike capabilities, carried out the mission without crossing into Pakistani airspace, a testament to India's evolving military technology. In addition to the Air Force’s role, coordinated support was provided by strike systems from the Indian Army and Navy, including loitering munitions and other high-precision weaponry.

While the Indian Air Force carried out these strikes from inside the Indian boundary, it targetted terrorist camps deep not only in PoJK but also deep into Pakistan. The longest target was Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, which is located approximately 100km from the Indian border at Punjab and serves as the JeM headquarters. Another camp in Sarjal of Tehra Kalan is located 50km west from Punjab and is believed to be an active JeM training site.

Similarly, LeT’s Markaz Taiba in Muridke, HM’s Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot and LeT’s Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala are located 30km from Samba, 15km from Jammu and 10km from LoC near Rajouri respectively. While Markaz Ahle Hadith is linked to LeT for recruitment and arms supply, Markaz Taiba has trained Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Due to the attack on Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, 10 family members and four close aides of JeM chief Masood Azhar were reportedly killed. Following the strike, Azhar released a statement wherein he confirmed that his sister, brother-in-law, nephew and his wife and a niece were killed.

Sources also revealed that the broader network of terrorist camps across Pakistan is organised into clusters in Mansehra, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. These clusters are jointly utilised by groups such as LeT, JeM, Al-Badr, and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The Mansehra region houses camps in Boi, Balakot, and Garhi Habibullah. Muzaffarabad’s cluster includes facilities in Chelabandi, Shawai Nala, Abdullah Bin Masood, and Dulai. Meanwhile, in the Kotli region, Pakistan's 3 POK Brigade coordinates terrorist activities at camps in Sensa, Gulpur, Fagosh, and Dungi.

According to official sources in intelligence departments, these camps serve as feeder points for forward launch pads situated just two to three km from the LoC. These forward areas include high-sensitivity zones such as Gurez, Kel, Neelum Valley, Tangdhar, Uri, Chakoti, Gulmarg, Poonch, Rajouri, Naushera, and Sundarbani.

According to an Intelligence input from December 2024, over 167 trained terrorists were positioned at cross-border launch pads, a number that continued to rise, with 120 operatives reportedly stationed in January, February, and March of 2025. These operatives underwent extensive training under the supervision of Pakistani army personnel, ISI operatives, and members of Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group (SSG). The training module covered a wide array of skills, including weapon proficiency, guerrilla tactics, survival in jungle terrain, map reading, GPS navigation, basic field medicine, and data handling.

Terrorist Camps Identified by Indian Armed Forces

Sawai Nala, Syed Na Bilal, Maskar-e-Aqsa, Chelabandi, Abdullah Bin Masood, Sulai, Garhi Habibullah, Batrasi, Balakot, Oghi, Boi, Sensa, Gulpur, Kotli, Barali, Dungi, Barnala, Mehmoona Joya, Sarjal, Muridke and Bahawalpur

Targets Destroyed Under Operation Sindoor:

1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur – JeM headquarters

2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke – LeT’s primary base.

3. Sarjal, Tehra Kalan – Active JeM operations site.

4. Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot – HM training camp.

5. Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala – LeT weapons and recruitment center.

6. Markaz Abbas, Kotli – JeM strategic safe house.

7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli – HM command post.

8. Shawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad – LeT mountainous training site.

9. Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad – JeM transit and logistics facility.

Significance of The Targets Attacked

Markaz Subhan Allah – Bahawalpur (JeM):

Located approximately 100 km from the Indian border, this was a primary target. It serves as the JeM headquarters, an outfit responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil. This attack killed 10 family members and four close aides of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

Markaz Taiba – Muridke (LeT):

Just 30 km from the border opposite Samba, this training camp has historical significance, having trained Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Sarjal, Tehra Kalan (JeM):

Situated about 50 km west of the India-Pakistan border near Punjab, this is believed to be an active JeM training site.

Mehmoona Joya – Sialkot (HM):

Located roughly 15 km from the border near Jammu, associated with Hizbul Mujahideen operations.

Markaz Ahle Hadith – Barnala (LeT):

Located in the Bhimber District of PoK, about 10 km from the Line of Control near Rajouri, this site is linked to LeT recruitment and arms supply.

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